Patagonia

Tucked away at nearly the end of American continent--51 degrees South of the equator to be exact--lies one of the world's most isolated, beautiful, and mysterious landscapes. Now a coveted destination for climbers, backpackers, and nature fanatics, my friends and I flew down from Buenos Aires to Patagonia to meet adventure. Our plan: complete the full-circuit 160-km (95 mi) trek around the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile within 7-9 days. In the face of unpredictable--sometimes downright dangerous--weather conditions, 40-pound packs on our backs, and the ever-present threat of turning violent against the friends with which we enjoyed over a week of cramped sleep in a tiny tent, we succeeded. Nine days after our start, we made it back to civilization with a dozen blisters on our feet, some crazy looking hair, and tales of the experiences of lifetime.